A BRAND new ice rink and indoor ski centre could be built at Cribbs Causeway by the end of next year.

The firm behind the multi-million scheme has submitted a planning application for the scheme with South Gloucestershire Council.

Bristol has been without a permanent ice rink since four years ago when the popular venue on Frogmore Street was closed by student flat specialist Unite.

The ice rink opened for business in the 1970s and was used by Olympic Gold Medallist Robin Cousins for training.

But now plans have been submitted to build a brand new permanent indoor ice rink alongside the South West's first skydiving and ski centre at the leisure park close to the Mall Shopping Centre at Cribbs Causeway.

South Gloucestershire Council is expected to make a decision about the proposals in the coming months.

Planning permission in principle has already been approved for the site which was originally earmarked for the Concorde museum.

The plan is to turn Cribbs Causeway into a 'day-out' destination with a wide range of activities for local residents to enjoy.

Alongside the ski centre there will be a sports store, hotel, restaurant, coffee drive through restaurant and car showroom. The development will be built on vacant land next to the Venue at Cribbs Causeway.

The Mall is also planning a a major extension with new shops, bars and cafes and a public square.

As part of the public consultation, Baylis Estates held a public exhibition inside the Mall at Cribbs Causeway to display the proposals, which received an overwhelming level of support from those who responded.

David Mace, Director at Baylis Estates, said "We are really pleased at the level of support shown for these proposals.

"These facilities will generate a number of economic and social benefits for the South West region and we are grateful for the substantial positive interest local people and organisations have shown in our plans."

He added: "Our ambitious plans for the site include building a flagship permanent indoor ice rink so that residents across the district and the wider West of England area no longer have to travel to other parts of the country to access this sort of facility all year round.

"We are excited to be able to incorporate an indoor skydiving and ski centre – the first in the South West.

"The inclusion of a store, hotel, restaurant, coffee 'drive thru' and car showroom will also help deliver significant social and economic benefits to the area."

A spokesperson from Planet Ice, who will operate the new ice rink, added: "The new ice rink will offer some highly engaging and unique opportunities for the local community.

"There will be a broad range of ice sports available from Ice Hockey to Speed Skating, family time skating, and well-priced public skating seven days a week, plus our 'learning' programme where we teach skaters the principle of ice skating."